What do you listen to while you work?
Typically, I play music that complements my mood and work. It varies from day to day between reggae, jazz, or classical music. However, lately I’ve been really digging house music. During my recent four months of studying abroad in Germany, I was reintroduced to this genre during some parties I attended. Later I played a few tracks in the studio and it became such a good complement to my workflow that it’s been a part of my frequented playlist ever since.

How do you listen?
I tend to use headphones while I work, especially when I have deadlines coming up. It helps me hone in on my task at hand.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers?
I regularly check out La.Ga.Sta, Pitchfork, and The Fox Is Black for new music. But for stuff I already know about, I find myself going to SoundCloud or YouTube.

Does music influence your work?
Not in a direct way. I find it like a metronome for my thoughts and actions. Music to me is inspiring and stimulating and it gives me that extra boost of energy to tackle daunting tasks. The right song can free my thoughts from the unnecessary clutter around me and help me to focus, especially if there’s a lot on my plate.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste?
I find music recommendations everywhere from walking down the street and hearing a car radio play an interesting tune, to my friends sharing interesting finds they stumble upon. While living in Okinawa, I experienced a rich and beautiful culture that surrounded itself with vibrant folk music. Falling in love with the island and its songs, I started to play and study the Sanshin, a simple three-stringed banjo of sorts that I still play today.

If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be?
Hmm. I would have to say Jens Lekman. His music is lighthearted and colorful yet underneath, he confronts serious issues in his work.

The ideal place to sit and listen to my playlist would be in a Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair. It’s the sort of chair that I could see myself sitting in after a long day’s work and let the music wash over me.

Do you have Herman Miller pieces in your studio or home office?
I do! In my studio I have a bright blue Eames shell chair. My boyfriend found it one day on a curb in Manhattan while moving into his apartment. Other than a missing foot and a few minor scuffs, it’s in pretty good nick.

Blair’s Playlist:
1. Little Bird, Anne Lennox
2. Running (Disclosure Remix), Jessie Ware
3. Sugar, Moon Boots
4. Respect, Aretha Franklin
5. Mainline (feat. Syron), Tensnake
6. Oblivion, Grimes
7. Work It, Missy Elliot
8. Dancing Anymore, Is Tropical
9. In My House, Mary Jane Girls
10. Sukiyaki, Kyu Sakamoto
11. The Opposite of Hallelujah, Jens Lekman

Photos: Blair Prietz

Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America, hosted by the Cranbrook Art Museum, examines the designers and architects that defined the look of the 20th century with classic pieces like the Eames Lounge Chair, the expressive styling of the fins on a Cadillac, corporate campuses like the General Motors Technical Center, and office environments revolutionized by Herman Miller.

The campus of Cranbrook is an especially appropriate setting for this important show. “In the late 1930s, a remarkable group of artists and designers were at Cranbrook — notably Eliel and Loja Saarinen, their son Eero, faculty members such as Harry Bertoia, and promising young students like Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Florence Knoll, and many others,” said Gregory Wittkopp, Director, Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. “Collaboratively, and then individually, they used the Academy’s studios to experiment and create the furniture and products that became the icons of the 20th century. It is no exaggeration to say that mid-century Modernism was conceived at Cranbrook.”

For more information on the four-month exhibition — which will last through October 13 — visit cranbrookart.edu. In the meantime, get a taste of the exhibit with these photos, courtesy of Cranbrook.

Entries in the Museum of Modern Art’s 1941 “Organic Design” competition by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen (far left).

The Eames Walnut Stool by Charles and Ray Eames, 1960 (far left).

The Nelson Marshmallow Sofa, 1956.

Photos: Courtesy Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum

1. The Charles and Ray Eames Foundation - Committed to preserving the home, studio, and legacy of the Charles and Ray, the foundation offers a rewarding and inspiring way to be a part of their creativity. Members are hosted annually at an appreciation event at the Eames House and enjoy a number exciting benefits. Join the Eames Foundation here.

2. Eames Molded Wood Side Chair - Herman Miller carries on the innovative legacy of Charles and Ray — combining their classic design with new technology and three beautiful wood finishes. Choose from white ash, walnut, or santos palisander atop 4-leg, wire, or wood dowel bases. They are sure to enhance any space, from dining room to living room to office. Available now from Herman Miller.

3. Giant House of Cards - Updated and enlarged, this new version of the classic Eames House of Cards is the perfect patio or sun porch activity. Pick a sunny afternoon and construct your own unique and colorful structures. Each set contains 20 die-cut, 11″ x 7″ cards. Find them at the Eames Office.

4. Eames Desk Unit - Debuting in 1949 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Eames Desk mixes architectural and industrial elements, like a workspace extension of their iconic Case Study home in California. The desk includes a spacious desktop, storage cubby and a file drawer. Choose from neutral or vibrant color schemes. Get yours at Herman Miller.

*Add the complementary and iconic Eames Storage Unit to expand your workspace even further.

5. Music for the Films of Charles & Ray Eames, Elmer Bernstein - Produced from archival recordings, this album presents four scores composed by Elmer Bernstein for the films of Charles and Ray Eames, including Toccata for Toy Trains, House: After Five Years of Living, the Polavision Vignettes, and Westinghouse in Alphabetical Order. A must-have for any fan of Eames or Bernstein. Get it from the Eames Office.

6. Eames Molded Plastic Chairs in Fiberglass - Thanks to the careful development of a sustainable fiberglass — both in production and at the end of its life thanks to Herman Miller’s new “Take Back” program — Herman Miller can both honor its commitment to the environment and return this classic look and feel to the Eames Molded Plastic Chair. Coming in August, with nine rich, vintage colors to choose from. Learn more about their debut at Herman Miller.

1. News on Art Daily that the Henry Ford Museum just acquired the Eames-designed IBM pavilion kiosk from the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

2. Wired’s article on the launch of Herman Miller’s Public Office Landscape furniture system by Fuseproject.

3. “Every room in this house is connected and ready to absorb the creativity of its residents.” (Read about it at ArchDaily.)

4. Stunning views of the mountains in Switzerland and Austria at the k_m architektur-designed Weinfelden House, spotted by Design Milk.

5. Photos of the 1941 MoMA exhibit that “introduced the world to Eames” at Gothamist.

6. The Detroit News’s look at the “Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America” exhibit opening tomorrow at the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

7. The Hollywood Hills home — now for sale — of Eames Office designer Deborah Sussman and architect Paul Prejza, spotted by Curbed LA.

8. Plastolux’s review of these simple and stunning interiors created by London-based Found Associates.

9. The Royal Institute of British Architects’ announcement of the winners of this year’s RIBA Awards, via Dezeen.

10. “6 Ways to Create a Culture of Innovation” at Co.Design.

Featured in photo: AGL Table by Leon Ransmeier and Eames Molded Fiberglass Chairs, both featured in the Herman Miller showroom at NeoCon 2013

1. Vesper Notes App, Q Branch - The internet was all a’Twitter this week about Vesper, a new note-taking app for iOS. Unlike similar apps, Vesper offers the capability to group and organize notes, photos and more in whatever way you wish, with no preset system. Bring your mobile productivity to a new level of personal customization. Download it from Apple’s App Store.

2. Setu Chair, Studio 7.5 - Setu Chair is ready to go to work immediately. There’s no set-up, just roll it into your chosen space and have a seat. Setu’s Kinematic Spine will flex and flow with you while you work; its Lyris 2 fabric provides air circulation and balanced weight distribution. Fluid movement and curve-conforming support. Get great finishes and material colors at Herman Miller.

3. Lihit Lab Teffa Bag in Bag - This is your mobile, handheld office designed to keep everything in its place. With seven sections on the front, it’s perfect for phone, writing implements, and journals. Unzip it and slide in a notebook, magazine, and even your iPad or tablet. There are even two more pockets on the back for paper, cards, and more. It’s durable and robust in polyester with a choice of four colors. Get yours at JetPens.

4. Aeron Chair, Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick - You know its name, you know its reputation — form-fitting support that can adapt to your every curve and every move while keeping you cool and collected. Everywhere you roll, whether at home, office or small business, Aeron is the everywhere chair. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

5. Waterproof Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag - Sourced and made in the USA, this is a serious lunch bag, made to last. Handmade with waxed canvas, it keeps its shape and closes securely with an oil-tanned leather strap and brass buckle. The days of brown bagging it are over (unless you choose brown canvas, of course). There’s orange, blue, and slate, too. From Kaufmann Mercantile.

6. Embody Chair, Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber - Experience a work chair that aids external and internal comfort — everywhere. Embody’s advanced design supports your posture and body-movements, yielding improved blood and oxygen flow that enables the brain to focus. You’ll be cool, you’ll be creative, you’ll be amazed. Get them at Herman Miller.

Photos linked within text.

It’s certainly a tale of good luck, a good deal, and good design. And just for the record, the video interview of the couple calls Herman Miller’s founder “J.D. Du Pree” (it’s D.J. De Pree, but we won’t hold it against anyone) and refers to Charles Eames as “Chuck,” but it’s still a remarkable story that we think would have made them both smile. Check it out here.

The space is there to help make managing the conference easier. But it also happens to showcase — in quite a vivid way — some of our newest offerings and updated designs. Notably, anchoring the plaza-like setting is a long Layout Studio Table surrounded by Eames Aluminum Group Management Chairs upholstered in vibrant Alexander Girard Hopsak material. Along the sides, Eames Sofa Compact designs in classic Maharam Pressed Plaid join Nelson Pedestal Tables and new Eames Molded Fiberglass Shell Rockers to add comfort, utility, and an eye-catching punch of color.

It’s just a taste of the people-focused design solutions we’re presenting in our main showrooms during this year’s exhibition. If you’re at the show, please stop by Suites 318, 321, and 330 to experience our breakthrough “Living Office” concept. Not at NeoCon? Get a sneak peak at our spaces — which were just awarded “Large Showroom Winner” and “Best of Competition” — at hermanmiller.com/neocon-2013.

1. “An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” Metropolis Magazine’s in-depth look at Herman Miller’s new “Living Office” vision.

2. The renovation of this charming 1920s bungalow in Venice, California, by Frank Clementi and Julie Smith-Clementi (via California Home + Design).

3. Apartment Therapy’s announcement of the winners of its Small Cool Contest 2013. Congrats!

4. The annual Pavilion structure from London’s Serpentine Gallery, this year designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, covered at It’s Nice That.

5. Core 77′s new series on understanding wood material.

6. The Refuge du Goûter, an eco-friendly “high-altitude hotel,” now the highest building in France (via Inhabitat).

7. A video from Dezeen featuring designer Stephen Burks explaining how the High Line elevated park in New York City is helping to transform the surrounding area.

8. The interior of this clean-lined loft space in London designed by Craft Design via Contemporist.

9. News of “Essential Eames,” a new exhibition at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands’ ArtScience Museum, at TODAYonline.

10. Herman Miller is now on Instagram. Be sure to follow us here.

Featured in photo: Nelson Platform Bench by George Nelson, now 15% off in the Herman Miller Summer Sale. Details here.

Give us a brief background on Midcoast. For nearly a decade, we have provided CGI (as it is known to insiders) to major automakers. In 2005, we expanded into 3D image services after seeing a growing demand in mainstream advertising. (The auto industry was an early adopter in this new discipline.) Ten years ago, about 20 percent of automotive advertising was created digitally, and 80 percent was produced via traditional photography. Now, those numbers have flipped. Today, virtually any product seen in advertising may be digitally created, from vehicles to furniture and even clothing.

What year was your firm established? What led to that point? Founded as Midcoast Studio in 1984, our two principals, Madison Ford and Paul Slocum, set out to build a Michigan-based, commercial photography company. Today, we provide a full range of imaging services including CGI, photography, retouching, video, and mobile apps.

Tell us about what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. We are a studio of artists who are passionate about finding creative ways to solve problems. A great example is a recent project we delivered to a prominent clothing manufacturer. The company wanted to feature a yet-to-be-made jacket in its fall catalog. The photorealistic jacket that we produced in under a week appeared in the catalog alongside the photographed product line.

Where are we headed? Nike ID is a great look at what the future of product manufacturing will look like. Advancements in technology have empowered companies to rapidly create products that can be custom tailored to each individual consumer: made to order. And our work in the field of CGI can help move this forward at a rapid pace.

Describe your space. Any special considerations that influenced the way it’s set up? We recently completed the renovation of a 3,000 square-foot photo studio, working from the ground up to create a cutting-edge workspace for our growing digital team. The space has two loft areas, custom woodwork throughout, Embody Chairs, a coffee table fabricated from a Harley-Davidson engine, and a functional garage door. In our conference room, we have Setu Chairs, and our conference table was custom made from antique table saw that once belonged to a longtime employee and friend of the studio.

Why did you choose these particular chairs? Our work is comprised of long hours sitting at a desk, and chairs like the Embody and Aeron are a de facto standard in our line of work, for obvious reasons. We also loved the range of artistic colors available, and chose mango in the Embody line. It makes a huge visual impact.

Photos: Midcoast

Tell us about your background. In the early 1980s, I ended up in Naples, Italy, working for the US Foreign Service. There I had a wonderful little group of affluent, quirky friends. I fit right in as the eccentric American who was constantly writing, painting, and exploring the gritty city while taking black-and-white pictures.

One of the friends owned a small advertising agency. After one wine-fueled night, the group deemed me clever, and I received an invitation from the ad-agency owner to stop by for tea the next day. I spent the afternoon in a creative meeting that seemed more like an excuse to drink during the day; the never-ending day-party went on for weeks until one of my ideas launched a major piece of business for the agency. I was suddenly an official member of the creative team.

Four years later, with many successful campaigns under my belt, I returned to the States to work at several small agencies, and then founded a Mac-only consulting firm. I built editing and recording studios. I provided tech support for print houses, TV studios, editing companies, and graphic artists. When the Internet was born in 1995, it was the perfect marriage of my creative side and nerdy side. In 1997, I hired a young wunderkind in Photoshop and HTML, and became his production assistant while I developed the business. I grew more proficient in digital and soon we were both turning out great work.

One of my graphic clients had chef Emeril Lagasse as a client, and as a result, my agency built the first EMERILS.COM website. I was soon offered a job with Emeril’s Homebase. We had a lot of fun and pulled off many firsts for a celebrity website. We even managed to put 1,000 recipes on the newfangled Apple iPod by using the Notes function. This was five years before apps made it to the iPhone and iPod.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina came in and changed everything. I left Emeril’s and started digital work for hire again — working for companies like Viking Range Corp., Kraft Foods International, Wolfgang Puck, MySouth Foods, Sucre, Lands End, Orient Expressed, and McCormick Foods. Again, I went to work for one of the companies for whom I was consulting. But having gone through Katrina, I kept my little digital agency on the side to continue to diversify and hone my creative skills. Having a day job meant that I could be more selective with clients and more adamant about doing things the best way possible for the brand. I decided to rebrand my agency and call it Ephu Studios. It is an agency with attitude and aggressive thoughts on branding, marketing, and user experiences.

Tell us about yourself and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. I am a proponent of clean, simple design and communication. I study the work of innovators like George Lois, Dieter Rams, Saul Bass,  and of course, Charles and Ray Eames. George Lois was a bold communicator who believed in the one big idea. Dieter Rams believed in designing an object to its simplest, functional form. Saul Bass was a master at visual communications with minimal strokes and the brilliant use of negative space. And finally, Charles and Ray Eames understood functional creativity and gave other creatives the tools to work in their creative spaces.

I am passionate about a few things. First, my work. I am working on a book and a documentary about a local New Orleans character, Gene Dongieux. Gene is a wealthy and eccentric fellow who has seen and done just about everything. He attributes his success to his rules about life. I am learning about these rules as I interview and film him in his element. It will be titled “Gene Therapy: 12 Lessons on Life and Success.”

I am also working with a company called ZeroTouchDigital who has invented a revolutionary computing platform that changes paradigm of computing. I hope to take my little studio and deliver big results for them. I think it will be amusing to come full circle and use my creative talents to drive my nerdy interests for a while.

I am passionate about painting, writing, and learning. I paint when I have the time. I love abstract. The use of colors. Getting paint on the canvas with unconventional tools. And I am passionate about my family. I have a beautiful wife of 21 years, 15-year-old twins, Max and Marlee, and two pugs, Mimi and Tootsie. We are one big happy and blessed family.

Tell us about your space. What’s your aesthetic? What do you like or dislike about it? I am inspired and creative every time I am in my studio. I love mid-century modern with a little assistance from today’s technology.

My color palette is chocolate brown and robin’s egg blue with splashes of orange for impact. I love the balance between aluminum and wood in the desk. I only wish that I could use a vintage Eames Time-Life Chair because it better matches the period of the desk. Therefore, as a task chair, the Aeron Chair wins out for long periods of sitting and moving around the space.

I have a magnetic wall that allows my children to come in and move pictures around all of the time. I also have an Orange Crush collection that my kids keep enhancing with unique finds.

The only thing that bothers me are the warped wood floors. A recent hurricane cause a roof leak that buckled the floors a bit. At some point, I want to change them to something more sustainable like bamboo.

1.Hang-It-All, Charles and Ray Eames - Start in your entryway or mudroom and add the playful hues and functional utility of the Eames Hang-It-All. Solid wood balls in a spectrum of bright colors finish the ends of its sturdy, powder-coated white wire frame. You’ll be hanging hats and coats for every season and putting a smile on your face while you’re at it. Find the Hang-It-All at Herman Miller.

2. Tavolo XZ3 Table, Studio Technico Magis - Enhance your breakfast nook or dining room with the minimalist, mid-century style of the Tavolo XZ3 Table. Easily dressed up for fine dining or set casual for everyday eats, the sturdy design features a criss-crossing steel rod base available in chrome, white, or black epoxy resin. Top it off with round or rectangular table tops in white or black. Create yours at Herman Miller.

*Practically a sibling of the Eames Molded Plastic Chair, mix them up for the perfect set.

3. Mirra Chair, Studio 7.5 - Add thoughtful, supportive, and affordable task seating to your home office or studio with the Mirra Chair. Its one-piece elastic back rest cradles you no matter your size and shape, while the AireWeave suspension seat keeps the pressure balanced and the temperature cool. Sitting smart means working smart. Find them at Herman Miller.

4. Thin Edge Buffet, George Nelson - Bring incomparable style, elegance, and generous storage to your living space with the Thin Edge Buffet. Beautifully finished in your choice of five sustainable veneer options, the buffet features adjustable shelves behind its twin hinged doors as wells as four spacious drawers. Perfect for dining items, office objects, even living-room media. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

5. Aluminum Group Lounge Chair Outdoor, Charles and Ray Eames - Like its indoor siblings, the Aluminum Group Lounge Chair Outdoor is a striking mix of sculpture and design. This time though, thanks to state-of-the-art Outdoor Weave fabric, you can savor its comfort and style poolside or on the patio. It’s durable enough to hold color and shape against the elements, but light and supportive enough to comfort you all season. Choose from four weave colors and two base/frame colors. Get them at Herman Miller.

6. Noguchi Table, Isamu Noguchi - As an undeniable design icon, sculptor Isamu Noguchi’s classic table would be virtually impossible to improve on, except maybe having a few more base finishes to choose from. You can stay with the classic black or try handsome natural tones like cherry, walnut, and white ash. No matter the finish, you’re sure to enjoy its sculptural beauty and simplicity for a lifetime. Find it at Herman Miller.

Photos linked within text.

1. A peek into a wallpaper collection designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller in 1953 at Cooper-Hewitt.

2. This sunlight-flooded workspace (and its cushy Eames Soft Pad Executive Chair) spotted by Minimal Desks.

3. This quote by George Nelson featured at “Design Notes” by Design Within Reach.

4. The textured, basket-weave aluminum exterior of the extension of the Messe Basel exhibition center designed by Herzog & de Meuron (via Dezeen).

5. The Los Angeles Times on the development of the Eames Molded Wood Side Chair.

6. Design Milk’s color palettes inspired by Alexander Girard-designed interiors at the J. Irwin Miller House in Columbus, Indiana.

7. “Why Wooden Toys?” at The New Yorker.

8. A look at Yves Behar’s new August smart lock, which allows you to open doors using a mobile app, at TechCrunch.

9. This striking 17-windowed loft in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City featured at DigsDigs.

10. Desire to Inspire’s tour of a mid-century-modern-inspired home by Australian architect Chris Dimond.

Photo: Tina Kulic

Here at Lifework, we see a lot of thoughtful workspaces from the creative community in Portland, Oregon — and our latest tour is no different. Step inside this home office of freelance illustrator, designer, and maker Jenny Tiffany for a dash of inspiration.

Tell us about your background. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in Spokane, Washington. The house we lived in was right on the border of a state park and river. This had a huge influence on me and my work as an artist. It helped foster my love of nature. For much of my childhood, I thought about being a park ranger when I grew up. I imagined myself living in a park ranger station in the mountains sketching wildlife and forests. 

My grandmother loved to paint. I inherited her oil paints and brushes and she helped me pay for college art classes. Right before she died, she made me promise to do something artistic with my life. I have a framed picture of her on my desk so she can watch me work. I think she’d be happy to know I kept my promise.

In 2002, my partner and I moved to Portland to follow our dream of hand-making housewares and selling them. We started the company Robot Candy, selling tile coasters handmade in small batches using reclaimed and recycled materials wherever possible. We wanted to be able to offer affordable, durable goods for the modern home while preserving the art and imagery of years past. We immediately got involved in the handmade movement here. It’s been amazing to watch it evolve. I sell at local craft shows, which is such a great way to meet other artists and designers as well as the people who support all of us. With the success of our business, I was able to quit my day job and spend more time creating art. Half of my time is spent working on our business and the other half is spent working on freelance illustration and design projects.

Tell us about yourself and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. Growing up in the seventies had a huge impact on the colors and styles that I’m drawn to. I was really inspired by pop art — Peter Max-style sunny landscapes. The U.S. Postal Service commissioned him to create the first 10-cent postage stamp to commemorate the Expo ’74 world’s fair in Spokane, WA. The theme of the fair was about preserving the environment. The event transformed my hometown. I was born during the Expo and my parents took me several times as a baby. The colors of the fair were chartreuse green, sky blue, and white (plants, water, and air). It must have had an impact because those are my favorite colors and themes and I use them often in my work. I also have a growing collection of Expo ’74 memorabilia. 

You have an Eames Molded Plastic Chair in your space. Why did you choose it? I love my Eames Molded Plastic Chair. We have two of them and they are extremely comfortable. I love owning a piece of design history. It really is a beautiful piece of functional art. Investing in a piece of Herman Miller furniture is a decision that really doesn’t need to be questioned. You know you are going to be getting the best quality and design in the industry. The next piece that I have my eye on is an Eames Aluminum Group Chair. The fact that these designs are still among the most desired and highly regarded since the 1950s really is a testament to the partnership of Charles and Ray Eames and Herman Miller.

Photos: Jenny Tiffany

What do you listen to while you work?
For working, I typically like that type of music that you want to listen to super late at night, as the sun’s coming up. Very layered, atmospheric music, with lots of build-ups and distortions. I tend to do a lot of my work during that time as well. The night gives you a certain sense of freedom, and by the time the sun’s coming up, I’m usually wrapping up a project. It always feels like this big epic thing, and you’re a little excited and a little delirious.

How do you listen?
Almost always it’s headphones. It helps me keep focused. I try not to have them on too much when the sun’s out, though. It’s nice to hear what’s going on in the outside world.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers?
I mostly just use Rdio and YouTube. I have XM for the car and they have a couple of great stations as well.

Does music influence your work?
The best example is probably when I got to work on a record cover (with Liz Meyer) for Nice Nice of Warp Records. We worked with the band for over a year, and they were constantly sharing tons of music/videos/art. Eventually we came up with the art for the first 7″ to be released. It’s amazing that it took so long to come up with such a simple design, but I think it fits their music really well and it’s one of my favorite pieces looking back.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste?
I’m subscribed to Rdio, so I’ll check out new releases and friend’s recommendations. Sometimes I’ll venture onto YouTube and see where it takes me.

If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be?
It’s a really tough question because I think it changes so much. I like to try to always be evolving and adapting. Joy Division was kind of that first band I was listening to when I was really getting into design, so it’s fun to sometimes come back to that early-on mindset.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist:
I think an Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chair Outdoor sounds right. It’s almost summer and we should all probably be outside right now enjoying the weather on a lawn or backyard. A breezeway works if it’s raining. I wanted this playlist to work as a slight intro to summer.

Gavin’s Playlist:
1. Eraser, No Age
2. Slush Puppy, Beaty Heart
3. Hiding, My Friend Wallis
4. (two circles), The Boredoms
5. Amplified Ease, Darkstar
6. Be Above It, Tame Impala
7. A Vibration, Nice Nice
8. Still Left With Me, Craft Spells
9. Bro’s, Panda Bear
10. Losing Feeling, No Age
11. Great Release, LCD Soundsystem

Photos: Gavin Potenza

1. Nelson Night Clock - Despite its unmistakable mid-century modern charm, the handsome tone of the Night Clock’s solid brass frame, combined with its acrylic dome-covered face, make this a timely nightstand icon more than 60 years later. Powered by a single AA battery, there’s no cord allowing the Night Clock to stand on its own and draw compliments. Find one at Design Within Reach.

2. Herman Miller Select™ Nelson Tray - A tribute to the original 1961 molded-top Tray designed by Nelson, this limited-edition sunburst design was produced by Herman Miller until February 2012. The unique pattern includes hand-chosen veneers in walnut and santos palisander wood inlaid into white ash. Stylish service indeed. Get yours — while they last — at Design Within Reach.

3. Nelson 6-Drawer Miniature Chest with Base - The miniature chests, designed in 1952, reflect the profound influence the culture and design of Japan had on Nelson. Like traditional tansu, the Miniature Chests contain many small drawers ideal for storing a wide variety of items. A dynamic storage solution with a variety of configurations, perfect for all kinds of interior settings. Find the 6-drawer chest and more at Y-Living.

*Pairs harmoniously and stylishly with the Nelson Pedestal Stool.

4. Nelson Platform Bench Cushion - So you have your perfect storage configuration combining both the Nelson Platform Bench and the coordinating Nelson Basic Cabinet Series. Now add a touch of extra comfort and pop of color with the Bench Cushion. Custom designed and made specifically for the Platform Bench, you can choose from 3 felt colors or leather upholstery at Herman Miller.

5. Nelson Swag Leg Work Table - Whether you’re crafting with the kids, finishing up a corporate merger, or collaborating with a creative team, the Swag Leg Table accommodates you with a generous 54″ x 36″ work space. Create a minimalist look with a white veneer top or add the tactile style of a walnut veneer, both with walnut edge band. Choose yours at Herman Miller.

6. George Nelson: Architect Writer Designer Teacher - No Nelson fan or admirer should be without the exhibition catalog that accompanied the Vitra Design Museum’s comprehensive retrospective of the same name. In full-color, the 352-page catalog includes a myriad of illustrations, some previously unpublished. Find it at Barnes & Noble.

Photos linked within text.

1. A look at the conservation of the Eames Case Study House from the Los Angeles Times.

2. Richard Schlesinger’s recent visit to Herman Miller for “CBS Sunday Morning.”

3. “A Visual History of Michigan’s Outsize Influence on American Modernism” via the Atlantic Cities.

4. The clean, minimal design of the Richardson / Dondoe Loft by Workshop for Construction featured at Plastolux.

5. Dexigner’s spotlight on Sam Hecht and Kim Colin’s new Wireframe Sofa Group.

6. “The Transparent Office” (penned by Tracy Brower, Herman Miller’s Director of Performance Environments) at the Drucker Exchange.

7. More from our team: “Sitting on Big Data: The Evolution of the Mobile Workplace” contributed to Wired.com by Ryan Anderson, Herman Miller’s Director of Future Technology.

8. This tour of New York City’s Milk Studios at Domaine.

9. The “Tower House,” a must-see tree house in the Catskill Mountains designed by Gluck+, spotted by DesignTAXI.

10. News of our reintroduction of the Eames Molded Plastic Chair in a greener fiberglass at Gizmodo.

Photo: Daniel Goncalves / Fotobia

Tell us about your background and how it led to “Coast Modern.” I work as a freelance art director, music producer, and more recently, a filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. I’ve made numerous records and singles for Nordic Trax Records available on vinyl and in the iTunes Store.

I got a little burned out from the club scene around 2005 and embarked on making a film to cleanse my palette and try something new. I was becoming more and more obsessed with mid-century design and architecture and wanted to get to the bottom of it. After working five years part time with my co-director Mike Bernard, we released “Coast Modern” in May 2012 to a receptive worldwide audience. The film has taken us to festivals in Italy, New York, Toronto, Boston, Montreal, Portland, and New Zealand, to name a few. We play LA this June 4 at the Hammer Museum and we’re designing a DVD package with some great bonus materials and a booklet for a June 2013 release. The film is also on its way to the iTunes Store this July. Big shouts to our producer Leah Mallen at Twofold Films and editor Peter Roeck. We haven’t screened in Michigan yet, so maybe Herman Miller could put on an event in Zeeland…

Tell us about yourself and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. I’m inspired by my family, nature, music, and food. I like when technology reaches a point where it can facilitate creativity on a large scale. In the early 90s, MIDI technology, affordable computers, and discarded 80′s drum machines came together in a way that made making records at home possibility. Kids around the world pushed electronic music to new levels and I got involved with that and still continue to explore it.

More recently, the DSLR video/high-speed Internet combo and platforms like Vimeo and WordPress have given aspiring filmmakers the ability to produce incredible-looking work independently. I love the Internet and the possibilities that it creates, but I also believe in turning it off. Kids need to learn how to build a raft after a two-day hike into the mountains.

Describe your space. What’s your aesthetic? What do you like or dislike about it? We just moved into a great old Post & Beam in West Vancouver that we’re renovating. It’s classic open plan with an incredible connection to the outside. In the office, we’ve done simple plywood built-ins for records and a long shared table for everyone to work around. My wife Jody should actually be featured here — she has a great aesthetic and the ability to bring ideas to life. We’re soon building a detached music “shed” in the garden out of some renovation scraps, which is very exciting — modernism at its best, intended to connect people to one other and to nature. We’re just building on that 95-year-old idea. One thing I would love is a sunken living room. Why did those go out of style? Bring back sunken living rooms!

You have a few pieces by Charles and Ray Eames in your space. Why did you choose them? We bought our first Herman Miller piece (an Eames Sofa Compact) about 14 years ago while living in Boston. We’ve since added a few other classic Herman Miller pieces both new and used. Every time we add another piece it’s a considered decision that will be with us for life.

The thing about buying authentic Herman Miller is you only have to buy it once. Cheap knock-offs are an insult to everyone — the designers, the manufacturers, the craftspeople that build them, and the landfills they ultimately occupy. Authentic furniture can be expensive, but every piece we buy will serve our entire lives, my daughter’s life, and if we decide to sell it, someone else’s life. Buy something once and get on with living.

Photos: Tina Kulic

1. Classic ViewMaster Model L with Scenic Americana Reel - Try a little nostalgia with your daydreams and gaze through the beloved ViewMaster toy. It’s the perfect desk-size daydreaming accessory. Get started with the classic viewer and a reel of scenic America. Available at Amazon.*You can even make your own custom ViewMaster reels.

2. Alphabet Factory Blocks - Employ imagination, spatial relations, physics, and motor control for daydreams that add real structure to your life. No login, Bluetooth, or USB cable needed. Just a hand or two and a tabletop. Start building at House Industries.

3. Spun Chair, Thomas Heatherwick for Magis - If your work has you going in circles, try unwinding yourself for a spell in the Spun Chair designed by Thomas Heatherwick. It’s the most comfortable, enjoyable revolution you’ll ever start. Find it at Herman Miller.

4. M4U 2 Active Noise Canceling Headphones, PSB Speakers - If you’re having trouble tuning into your daydreams, try tuning out of your environment for a bit with noise canceling headphones by PSB Speakers. The natural-sounding M4U 2′s are lightweight and comfortable. Fold and stow in their travel case for mobile daydreaming. Get them at Crutchfield.

5. Scissor Chair, Ward Bennett for Geiger - Modeled from the classic hammock deck chair of yesteryear’s ocean liners, the Scissor Chair mixes refined materials and finish option with reclining comfort. Situate yourself near a window, sit back and watch the clouds bend to your imagination. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

6. Marimekko Picnic Blanket - When your workspace starts to close in on you, move your daydreaming to the park for a bit. You’ll quickly forget your worries laying down on this collectible, all-natural fiber Marimekko picnic blanket. At 57″ x 58″ it’s over 23 square feet of daydreaming space. Available on Etsy.

Photos linked within text.

1. Architect Loïc Picquet’s simple, streamlined renovation of this rural guesthouse in the Alsace region of France (via Dezeen).

2. Design*Sponge’s tour through photographer and blogger Jessie Webster’s home in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles.

3. “Architecture on Repeat: Hypnotic Photos of Seaside Façades” at Architizer.

4. California Museum’s Pinterest page dedicated to its “Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design” exhibition.

5. Design Milk’s look at the first residential design project — a joining of two neighboring properties into one family home — by London-based design studio Bureau de Change.

6. The impressive collection of Eames Aluminum Group Executive Chairs in the new Infor headquarters in NYC designed by VOA (via Contemporist).

7. The compact and cool Sydney apartment by designer Nicholas Gurney featured at Desire to Inspire.

8. “Elevator B,” an urban habitat for a colony of honeybees designed by architecture students from the University at Buffalo, at eVolo. (Learn why bees are near and dear to Herman Miller in this video.)

9. The 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair begins tomorrow and runs through Tuesday the 21st in New York City. Get details here.

10. Did you commute today via bicycle for Bike to Work Day? If you’re still dreaming of riding two wheels to the office, here’s the top 10 places to do so, according to Co.Exist.

Featured in photo: Nelson Pedestal Table by George Nelson

With only 875 square feet to work with, the inhabitants of this New York City space had to think smart — and look up — when it came to bicycle storage. “Storing our bikes was an issue as they’re always visible,” says apartment dweller Jeremy. “Thus, we chose minimal bikes, such that they simultaneously served as an unobtrusive decorative elements when stored in our rooms.” (Photo: Jason Loper for Apartment Therapy)

The Boulder, Colorado, office of advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky serves up plenty of parking space for bike commuters. (Photo: This Ain’t No Disco)

Alone and set against crisp, white walls, a bicycle in the Silver Lake, California-based office of Warren Techentin Architecture makes a striking statement. (Photo: Warren Techentin)

In Los Angeles, a pair of bicycles also go vertical in the home office of stylist Amy Pigliacampo and husband Corey Szopinski. (Photo: Bethany Neuart for Apartment Therapy)

Artist Andrew Neyers uses motorbikes as part of the decor in the upstairs studio of his Cincinnati, Ohio, home. (He’s got two in the space — see them both here). (Photo: Andrew Neyers)

The compact size of artist and designer Ryan Brinkerhoff’s apartment in Columbus, Ohio, ensures that more substantial everyday items, like his bike, must live right alongside his other furnishings. (Photo: Ryan Brinkerhoff)

Andre Andreev and G. Dan Covert of Dress Code (the studio that helped create the stop-motion video for our recent “Everywhere in Your Day” Contest) make ample room for bikes in their downtown New York City space. (Photo: Dress Code)

Top photo: Jay Fletcher

Tell us a little about your backgrounds. We’re both creatives who spend equal time working out in the world and from home. I’m a freelance photographer specializing in weddings, portraits, and events, but my work is continually evolving. Kyle’s a web developer for Treehouse, a startup creating an online school for technology learning. We collaborate during wedding season when Kyle joins me as a second photographer.

Tell us about yourselves and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. I spent a lot of time studying art and design while in school, and photography has been a natural progression into a field where I can hold onto my creativity and make a living. People, beauty, and happiness inspire me, and I feel fortunate to work with clients during their most joyful times.

Kyle’s worked professionally as a graphic designer, photographer, web developer, and snowboard instructor. He’s driven by a love of nature and simplicity, and created a social backpacking network for the Pacific Northwest called Went Hiking. At Treehouse, he garners inspiration from helping people get better jobs and improve their lives through technology learning.

I think this David Bowie quote sums up each of our lives: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.”

Tell us about your space. What’s your aesthetic? What do you like or dislike about it? I love all things vintage, and Kyle appreciates a more modern aesthetic. Our apartment has taken on an eclectic combination of our individual tastes that we both appreciate.

The apartment was built in the early 1900s and is bursting with vintage charm. Our favorite room is the sun porch, which is gloriously warm and bright and is currently serving as a small library.

We could definitely use an extra room for our office area. Both of our desks are sharing space with the dining room, which isn’t ideal, but it works for now.

There is a SAYL Chair in your office area. Why did you choose it? I was extremely picky about this decision because too many office chairs are bulky and unappealing. We both love Herman Miller designs, so when it came time to choose an ergonomic chair for Kyle to sit and program in every day, it was an easy choice. The SAYL is attractive and comfortable, and I appreciate its low profile and lightweight look. We would definitely recommend it to others!

Photos: Christy Cassano-Meyer

1. Bordo Bello NYC: A Skateboard Design Show, May 13 – 17, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Hosted by AIGA Colorado, “Bordo Bello” is the annual skateboard art show featuring the work of more than 1,000 professional designers, artists, and students, creating an exhibition of skateboard decks and simultaneously supporting charitable causes. Read more…

2. Parsons BFA Product Design Flat-Pack and Micro-Manufacturing Exhibition, May 7 – 24, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. - Parsons BFA Product Design students are challenged by the Flat-Pack Studio to create a furniture than can be flat-packed in standard shipping materials from UPS; the Micro-Manufacturing Studio helps students with design, modeling, prototyping, and testing of a family of household accessories or furniture, focusing on small-scale and self-sufficient production. Learn more…

3. NYCxDesign Workshop: Sustainable Design Thinking, May 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Led by Neil Chambers, founder/CEO of Chambers Design, Inc. and author of Urban Green: Architecture for the Future, the workshop explores how environmental issues can be affected by design, as well as what successes and priorities for the future exist. Learn more…

4. BKLYN DESIGNS 2013, May 10 – 12, 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m. - The BKLYN DESIGNS exhibition features a distinctive array of cutting-edge design from Brooklyn-based designers and manufacturers showcasing the “iconic Brooklyn style.” Learn more… 

5. INTRO NY, May 18 – 20, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Network or just take a break at INTRO NY. The “capsule event” provides a unique environment comprised of a series of design-branded vignettes. The styled spaces allow visitors to talk shop, socialize, or just plain relax. It also includes an outdoor café by Brooklyn Roasting Company. Learn more… 

6. Cutlog NYC Art Fair, May 10 – 13, 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m. - After five successful years in Paris, Cutlog NYC debuts on the city’s Lower East Side. Some forty galleries and curators will showcase art, installations, talks, and more throughout the Clemente Soto Vélez Center’s classrooms, halls, and theaters. Outdoors the parking lot will be transformed into a showspace for sculpture, music, food, and films. Learn more…

*Is your cab budget a little stretched? Does the subway not show you enough of New York? See NYCxDESIGN x Bike! Download the free bike map.

Photos linked within text.

1. NYCxDESIGN, New York City’s inaugural event to showcase and promote design of all disciplines, starts today and runs through May 21.

2. “12 Homes Made from Shipping Containers” at Design Milk.

3. This piece on the power of co-working spaces by the New York Times.

4. Esoteric Survey’s post on photos of the Eames House from the Aline and Eero Saarinen Papers.

5. Dexinger’s look at our new Mirra 2 work chair by Studio 7.5.

6. This mid-century modern home in Phoenix, Arizona, renovated by John P. Twigg and Steve Watson at Plastolux.

7. The light-filled Berlin home by architectural firm + Quehl Miethe featured at automatism.

8. Inthralld’s look at the loft that houses boutique billboard company Prince Media Co. in New York City.

9. Info on “Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America,” an exhibit beginning June 14 at Cranbrook Art Museum, on Dwell.com.

10. Another not-to-be-missed exhibition: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s retrospective show at Les Arts Decoratif in Paris beginning September 1. Details at It’s Nice That.

Featured in photo: Osso Chair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

How much creativity can be produced within one co-working space? Plenty, if you consider that this personality-packed workspace — courtesy of illustrator, art director, and artist Will Bryant — is within a stone’s throw of the desk of Kate Bingaman-Burt, an illustrator who gave us a look around her office digs just last month. Get a new perspective on their shared studio (also the headquarters for three other illustrators/designers) in this newest tour from Portland, Oregon.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background. I am an easygoing, light-hearted Southern gentleman with a knack for goofing around. I work as an independent illustrator, art director, and artist in Portland, Oregon. As an artist I work in sculpture, events, drawing, painting, and printmaking.

I grew up in a small town in East Texas playing sports, trying to charm my neighbors, and obsessing over Michael Jordan. My family is all from Mississippi, so I spent summers there and eventually attended Mississippi State University. I had no clue what graphic design was or that I was going to major in it. I am very fortunate that Kate Bingaman-Burt, long-time friend and mentor, was starting out her teaching career there. She, among other faculty members, had a huge impact on me. Being in a secluded Southern town with very few design agencies and resources, I developed the ability to display my personality on the internet. I made friends! (Not in real life, but was in dialogue with contemporary designers and illustrators.) I was making piles of work and trying to figure out what I wanted to do.

I began throwing themed dance parties under the persona “The Hooded Deer,” which brought together an amazing community. What started as a DIY house party quickly exploded into a collaborative production with a huge stage and professional lighting and sound. It was an over-stimulating, excessively visual bombardment of positive energy and healthy dancing. It was about sharing music, having a positive attitude, and creating the opportunity for people to have a good time, frat brothers and art students alike.

After graduating, I married my childhood sweetheart and we moved to Austin, Texas. There, I expanded my style and voice at Public School, a studio composed of designers, illustrators, and photographers. For almost three years I learned about the business side of freelancing and worked on numerous collaborative projects with some amazing folks.

In 2011, we moved to Portland so I could pursue an MFA in Contemporary Art Practice and teach alongside Kate at Portland State University. For two years I immersed myself in unfamiliar territory (Contemporary Art) and tried to once again find myself, but in a new way. I tried to experiment, absorb, and challenge myself in this new territory. What I discovered was that there isn’t much distinction between my work and me as a person. At first I thought of having a split studio practice of commercial work and exhibition work. But it’s not really split; it’s mashed together, blurring the lines between the two.

My work stems from Push Pin Studios, Space Jam, Memphis Group (especially Sottsass & Shire), Saul Steinberg, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Geoff McFetridge, Andy Warhol, Talking Heads, and Hannah Barbera/Looney Tunes cartoons. Lately, I’ve been into the work of Matt Connors, Brian Bress, Julia Dault, Wendy White, Alex De Corte, Ben Medansky, and Anna Lomax.

I have just completed my MFA, so what’s next? I am easing back into full-time freelance work and will also continue teaching and working on personal projects (in and around the art world). I hope to do more installations, pattern-based projects, and sculptural work.

Tell us about your studio space. What’s the aesthetic? What do you like or dislike about it? My space, aka “Will’s World,” has beautiful light, high ceilings, and great energy from wonderful people. The aesthetic is a “controlled color blast hyper field”—think Pee Wee meets Jock Jams meets the trippy star gate scene from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

In response to my space, my friend Nicole said, “I am looking inside your head, or your inbox, or your bookmarks folder: this is perfect!” There’s a lot happening on the walls, but my desk is relatively clean. Everything has a place. My wall is covered with inspiring things that other people have made and some things I have made. At Public School, I had it mostly tucked in flat files or in boxes. Now it exists above my head as constant hovering confetti. It makes me so very happy! What would I change? I am planning on investing in an even nicer task chair and would eventually like to replace the desk itself with a custom table with brightly powder-coated legs from my talented friend Eric Trine.

My secondary space is at my home — upstairs next to my wife’s office. I have a beautiful George Nelson Swag Leg Desk that I use for reading, correspondence, and drawing (no India ink!). There’s not as much personality going on up there, but I’ll likely make some changes since I am finished with school.

What do you listen to while you work?
Recently, I have realized I work best with music that is nearly instrumental but with a slight peppering of vocals which do not take center stage.

I like that it doesn’t demand my attention, which is ideal for concentration. Also it follows the approach to my own work. Most of my work is wrapped around a subtle narrative which is sort of abstract, and I liken that to vocals which are abstract but still add to the song.

How do you listen?
I use Spotify on my iMac while I work. I have music playing from the moment I start to the moment I finish. It’s very integral to the work.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers?
I like Pitchfork and Stereogum. There is a lot I don’t like about those sites, but they are good for finding new music. Soundcloud is really awesome, and I use Spotify all the time.

Does music influence your work?
Majorly. I couldn’t over-exaggerate this if I tried. Three or four years ago I started to dig a littler deeper into my personal work.

Music is probably the art form that moves me the most. I started keeping track of music that I deeply responded to, and I created a little playlist that I call “Soundtrack to My Work.” Then I would try to approach creating visual work that felt the same way as this music. All of my NOD project and most all of my personal work in the past three years has been made this way.

A lot of this music is vocally abstract and sort of whimsical with a twist of melancholy, and I think you can see that in the work.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste?
I have been doing a lot of music-focused editorial illustration for the fashion company Aritzia. They have introduced me to some fantastic new music lately. I look through my favorite new bands related artists on Spotify too. I would say that if my peers on Twitter bring up a band a few times, I’ll usually go check it out.

If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be?
If my work was a song, I would want it to be this little one minute piano piece called “Row” that Jon Brion made for the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It’s so beautiful. I can listen to it on repeat. I think it feels exactly like the work I try to create, sad but hopeful, childlike but sophisticated.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist is sitting in an Eames Lounge Chair oiled santos palisander veneer and black MCL leather. This playlist is for nighttime, hence the dark-colored chair. Preferably listened to in a warm climate, windows down, alone, leaning back, relaxed, and lost in the music.

Andy’s Playlist:
1. Row, Jon Brion
2. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Ryuichi Sakamoto
3. Rain Smell, Baths
4. Garden 1, Teen Daze
5. Undo, The 1975
6. The Great Estates, Freelance Whales
7. Cleam, Mister Lies
8. Want U 2 Know, Different Sleep
9. Accordian, Madvillain
10. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst, Kendrick Lamar

Photos: Andy J. Miller

Tell us about yourself and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. I focus on responsive, future-friendly, front-end design and development. This means I design and code websites that flex and adapt to the device the user is viewing them on. Progressive enhancement ensures that users visiting a site from their phone on a congested mobile network aren’t forced to download the same site assets they would see on their 30″ display at the office. Future-friendly development means writing flexible, modular code structure that is mindful of what’s next in tech.

I’m inspired by quality craft, regardless of medium. It is endearing to witness a maker who is good at what he or she is making. I’m also inspired by my city and the people who call it home. Winnipeg has an incredibly rich arts and cultural scene, especially for a city of relatively small size. In the past few years our downtown has seen some really cool architectural installations, like a huge steel/LED sculpture called “Emptyful” that’s shaped like an Erlenmeyer flask, and OMS Stage, an open-air performing arts venue that looks like it’s straight out of a science-fiction movie. When the rivers freeze in the winter, we clear the longest skating trail in the world and line it with warming huts designed in an annual architectural competition. I think there’s something to be said for the resilience and outward thinking this city embraces.

Tell us about your space. What’s your aesthetic? What do you like or dislike? My space is a bit of an audio playground, with instruments and recording gear and a life-size cardboard cutout of Raj Koothrappali from the TV show ”Big Bang Theory” (he’s camera shy). I have a flawless Fender Rhodes piano that was built in March of 1972, and will forever be the coolest thing I own.

The studio monitors on my desk sit on foam/steel wedges that isolate the speaker vibrations from my work surface. These are my go-to for listening to most music, but if I’m listening to a concert recording I’ll also bring up the mono speaker stack for a different timbre. If I’m listening to something with poor quality sound, I’ll route the audio through an old GE stereo I modded a few years ago that can plug directly into my mixer. This is kind of like the aural equivalent of taking a mediocre picture of your feet with Instagram and applying a filter to make it “better.”

The big white pillow things on my walls are broadband absorbers that help eliminate sound reflections and frequency nodes. Each panel is 4″ of rigid fiberglass insulation and an open wood frame that is wrapped in fabric and hung with picture frame wire.

My window treatment (if I can even call it that) is several layers of translucent plastic tablecloth, held in place with binder clips and magnets. It turns my basement window well into a big softbox. When rabbits hop in the garden above it’s like a shadow puppet show without the puppets.

I’m constantly exploring ergonomics, and love finding new ways to make working better. Currently my wrists rest on a water-damaged piece of hardboard from an old drawer. This sits atop a stack of dollar-store craft foam that raises the leading edge of my keyboard and trackpad so they parallel my desk. I think most people have increased fidelity in their fingers and thumbs with their wrists either parallel to their desks or relaxed forward, instead of pulled back as most keyboard designs imply. This is in part why pianists are trained not to drop their wrists while playing.

My display sits on a 3″ roll of black duct tape, the underside of which is covered by parchment paper. Parchment paper has a low coefficient of friction, so slides around my glass desk with ease.

If I could change anything about my current setup, I definitely wouldn’t be working on a black glass desk. It is an incredible pain to keep clean. I’d like to try a sit-stand desk with a wood surface and motorized legs.

You have both an Embody and an Aeron in your space. Why did you choose them, and how do they differ for you? I like them both, and they are very different. I typically start the work day in the Aeron because I love its forward tilt. It arches my back and keeps my body in attentive posture, which helps me kick-start productivity if I stayed up too late writing code or playing hockey. The Embody feels more relaxed to me, and I’m most comfortable in it slightly reclined. I usually tackle less intensive tasks in the Embody, like long-form reading or answering email. The Embody’s arm rests adjust closer to my body than the Aeron’s, which I find helpful in reducing shoulder strain.

It may seem excessive to have two high-end chairs in such close proximity, but an investment in design and comfort is easily justifiable to someone who spends as much time at a desk as I do.

Photos: Brad Cerasani

1. Eames Molded Wood Side Chair, Charles and Ray Eames - In its longstanding commitment to the Eames vision of continued exploration, refinement, and discovery, Herman Miller introduces the Eames Molded Wood Side Chair, a beautiful expression of their timeless design, achieved with the help of today’s 3-D veneer technology. Available now at Herman Miller.

2. Craft Design Technology Leather Pen Case - Normally found only in Japan, Craft Design Technology produces products that unite the word and worlds of its name. Their handsome and compact pen case begins with artisan-colored leathers. Then, innovative treatment and processing are added to help the leather age and wear more gracefully. Finally the materials are merged with stylish, minimal design. The perfect addition to your bag or briefcase. Find one at Vetted.

3. Branca Chair, Sam Hecht and Kim Colin - In partnering with Mattiazzi, Sam and Kim welcomed the Italian manufacturer’s mix of high-tech manufacturing and dedicated hand-craftsmanship. Their unique chair design combines highly complex, robotic-made parts with traditional shaping and finishing by hand. Find yours at Herman Miller.

4. ADA Quilt, Meg Callahan - ADA mixes up the time-honored tradition of American quilt-making with modern techniques like digital printing and industrial-machine quilting to offer a truly unique approach to a classic home accessory. Find it at Matter.

5. Medici Chair, Konstantin Grcic - Creating the unique components of the Medici Chair require a combination of state-of-the-art technology and skilled craftsmanship – a perfect collaboration for Grcic and Mattiazzi. The parts are machine made and then meticulously hand-assembled in specific order. Choose from four striking finishes at Herman Miller.

6. Quilt, Artisan Collection, Bolon Floor Coverings - The Artisan Collection blends the careful craftsmanship and creativity of traditional carpet-making with the wide array of design options that modern technology now affords. Great tactile feeling mixed with high-tech design and durability. Find them at Bolon.

Photos linked within text.

1. Beautiful photography of modern interiors captured by Michael Wells via Plastolux.

2. This interview with brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec on the Magis Facebook page.

3. Impressed by the launch of the new home decor site Domaine (and glad to see its love for Charles and Ray Eames).

4. Inspired by clue #4 in our “Everywhere in Your Day” contest: “Insane Photos Snapped From Kites” from Architizer.

5. “Brilliant Words of Advice from 14 Great Graphic Designers” (including Charles Eames) via Co.Design.

6. Contemporist’s feature on the simple elegance of Casa Sulla Morella by Studio Cittaarchitettura in Castelnovo di Sotto, Italy.

7. The fluorescent shades of green, yellow, and blue in this sports hall design in the Netherlands by Slangen + Koenis Architects (via Dezeen).

8. “Bold, punchy, in-your-face sculptures” by artist Matt W. Moore featured at It’s Nice That.

9. Interior Design‘s look back at the ”greatest hits” of Maharam, the textile company recently acquired by Herman Miller.

10. Don’t forget: May 5 is the last day to enter for a chance to win in our “Everywhere in Your Day” contest. Click here to find out more.

Featured in photo: Eames Desk Unit, Eames Storage Unit, and Eames Molded Plastic Chair by Charles and Ray Eames